Press Senate Passes Cardin, Grassley Resolution Prioritizing Civics Education

Press Release

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) lauded unanimous approval of their Senate Resolution (S. Res. 427) that calls for increased prioritization of civics education in American public schools.

The Cardin-Grassley resolution affirms that civic education is essential to the well-being of the constitutional government of the United States. It recognizes that comprehensive and formal instruction in civics and government would provide students a basis for understanding the rights and responsibilities of citizens in the constitutional government of the United States. It also encourages elementary and secondary schools to develop curricula with demonstrated effectiveness in fostering civic competence, civic responsibility, and a reasoned commitment to the fundamental values and principles underlying the constitutional government of the United States. The resolution also calls for all teachers of civics and government to have access to adequate opportunities to enrich teaching through professional development programs to enrich their teaching capacity.

"The health of our democracy depends on having well informed and involved citizens. Civics education is key to cultivating a generation of future leaders, who -- with the lessons learned from our rich democratic history -- will lead us to a bright future." said Senator Cardin. "I thank my Senate colleagues for uniting in behind civics education and pledging to support our dedicated teachers and administrators."

"Our Founding Fathers believed that an educated citizenry is essential to the preservation of liberty," said Senator Grassley. "It's critical that each new generation of Americans develops a sound understanding of our nation's founding principles and its founding document, the U.S. Constitution. Representative government is a two-way street. It requires elected officials who listen to their constituents and citizens who are informed and engaged to keep their representatives accountable."

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